DAY VS NIGHT
Normally, running or any form of exercise is best done in the mornings because firstly, we perform any physical exercise better after a good night’s sleep, and secondly, there is nothing like a refreshing morning run to jumpstart our metabolic rate and keep us energized for the rest of the day.
However, this does not mean that we should not run at night at all. On the contrary, there are times when we need to run at night too. So, in this article, I want to highlight the key differences between night and day running, and dispel the myths of night running with the sole intention of making your running experience more effective and more enjoyable.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Time, and in particular, how we manage our time is the key to determining whether we should run during the day or night.
Of course, we all have 24 hours in a day, and accordingly, we all follow our personal set routine. For practical reasons, some of us slot our runs first thing in the mornings before we go to work or before we start going about our daily chores. For others, running in the evenings after work, or when they have completed their daily tasks, is more doable. Thus, our personal lives and daily schedule will dictate when we can run. As a fitness coach, my goal is to help people find the exercise and running schedule which best fit into their lifestyle. Therefore, in terms of health and fitness, it does not matter if you run at night or during the day, as long as you just do it!
BIOLOGICAL CLOCK IS TICKING
I believe that the human body functions according to our inbuilt biological clock which is divided into three 8-hour shifts in a 24-hour day. From 12pm to 8pm, this is the best time for our bodies to eat our meals and consume the right kind of nutrition, and in the right amounts, for our bodies to function at its optimum level.
From 8pm to 4am, this is the best time for our body to rest, digest and absorb all the nutrients derived from the food we have consumed. Finally, from 4am to 12pm, that’s the best time for our body to eliminate and expel the toxins from our body.
Being aware of your biological clock and to give your body what it needs at the right time is important to make the best of your run, day or night. In other words, plan your daily activities, including running, in accordance with your biological clock. For example, avoid eating late meals after 8pm or the calories will turn to fat; get enough rest and don’t sleep late after 12pm; and make sure you have enough fibre in your diet to induce bowel movements (detoxification) before noon. Again, it does not matter if you run during the day or night, as long as you take care of your body and health.
